Lynchburg, Va. -- The Lynchburg women's volleyball team fell in a competitive five-set match against the Virginia Wesleyan Marlins, 3-2. 

The Marlins, coming off an undefeated ODAC record and regular season championship last season, entered this match with an overall record of 15-3. Nonetheless, Lynchburg came out swinging against the number one team in the conference's preseason poll. 

In the first set, Tori Williamson set the tone for the Hornets. Williamson quickly racked up seven kills and two aces in the first frame to help Lynchburg claim a 25-16 win. However, the Marlins promptly responded. With the two teams neck and neck towards the latter stages of the second set, a 9-3 run from the Marlins would help them prevail and tie the match at one set a piece. 

The Marlins and Hornets continued to go back and forth as the match progressed. Back-to-back blocks from Bree Spainhour ignited Lynchburg in the middle of the third, and the Hornets would jump back out in front by a set. But once again, VWU had a response. To begin the fourth frame, the Marlins took a commanding 8-2 lead, and from that point on they cruised towards the finish line for a 25-18 win. 

In the fifth and final set, the Hornets began by leaning on the hot hands. Another Williamson ace and a pair of Spainhour kills, and within a matter of moments, Lynchburg had a 5-1 lead. But as the set came down to its final moments, the Marlins picked up steam. A 7-2 run from VWU gave them the 15-12 victory, 3-2. 

Lynchburg will now continue their conference play, as they begin a three-game road trip. Their next match will be this Saturday, Oct. 12, as they head to Eastern Mennonite. 

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--LYN--